Ousmane Sonko, leader of the PASTEF party, has lifted the veil on the circumstances surrounding his removal from office, offering a detailed account of his final exchange with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Speaking in a press conference, Sonko dismantled weeks of speculation by clarifying the exact sequence of events that led to their separation.
The break occurred after the President summoned Sonko to the Palais de la République in Bamako. According to the opposition leader, President Faye cited a breakdown in their partnership, attributing it to several of Sonko’s public statements that he deemed problematic. Instead of accepting the decision passively, Sonko responded with a bold stance: « I told him he could proceed with my dismissal and simply own up to his choice. »
Sonko went further, revealing that he had previously offered to resign from the government to assume the role of National Assembly Speaker, pledging his support for the administration. However, this proposal was never acted upon. His decision to step back was not one he could endorse, he emphasized, shifting the narrative to highlight the President’s responsibility in the matter.
Through his remarks, Sonko made it clear that he refused to be held accountable for a decision he did not initiate. His words underscored the tensions within Mali’s political landscape, with the PASTEF leader positioning himself as a figure who prioritizes principle over compromise.
